title: Controversies in preventive therapy for children contacts of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is emerging as an increasing problem worldwide and no consensus has been reached about the management of children contacts of DR-TB cases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of post-exposure chemoprophylaxis in paediatric DR-TB contacts, focusing on literature findings and recommendations from existing international guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a literature search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE by PubMed and EMBASE from database inception through September 2012, using an appropriate search strategy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen articles were included: four retrospective and two prospective population studies, eight international guidelines and four narrative reviews.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General agreement exists that preventive therapy could be beneficial in specific high-risk groups, including immunocompromised children and those aged < 5 years. However, no consensus exists on the use of preventive therapy in older or immunocompetent children and on which regimen should be preferred.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chiappini
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sollai
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonsignori
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Martino
mesh_terms: D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016358:Contact Tracing; D006801:Humans; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents
keywords: Children,; IGRA,; Multidrug-resistant,; TB-contact,; Tuberculosis